Rather than building increasingly high tower blocks, the future of our housing could be in pipes. Yep. Cylindrical pipes – just a little larger than the ones you’re probably imagining.

The OPod Tube Housing System is the creation of architect James Law, designed to save residents from the chronic overcrowding and lack of space in Hong Kong.

As the name probably gives away, the housing system involves tubes. Or tunnels or pipes, whatever you want to call ’em.

The tiny homes are created out of repurposed concrete water pipes that measure just over eight feet in diameter and provide around 1,000 square feet of living space.

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A little tube requires minimalist interiors, with not a single bit of space wasted, so naturally everything from the appliances to storage options has been carefully chosen and placed.

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Inside there’s a living room with a bench that converts into a bed, a mini fridge, a bathroom, a shower, and storage space for clothes and other bits.

(Picture: Cover Images)

The tubes actually look quite cosy, and much better than that rubbish studio flat we saw with nowhere near enough room for the fold-out bed to actually, well, fold out.

James Law suggests the tubes as an option for young people looking for homes, or for city governments to offer as affordable housing.

While the tubes aren’t exactly lightweight, they can be moved fairly easily, with the structure designed to fill gaps between existing buildings and fit where traditional construction might not be an option – down narrow alleyways, in the space between houses, and other places that don’t have enough room for a proper house. Smart.

(Picture: CoverImages)

The tubes could be stacked on top of each other with simple metal stairways providing access, so you could have a mound of tubes rather than a block of flats.